Abstract: Disclosed is an improved Stokes-type basket stretcher constructed to permit its upper and lower units to be reassembled to hold rescue equipment for storage or transport to a rescue site. The lower unit frame includes one or more rail members having affixed thereto a series of rib members. The top rail member is generally U-shaped having a coupler support structure extending vertically upward and provided with either the male or female mating coupler member. The upper unit frame is similarly constructed except the other coupler mating member is affixed to align with its corresponding lower unit mating member to form a pocket of predetermined size.

Abstract: A cyclonic chamber for use in air filtration devices. The chamber includes an apex opposite a base with sidewalls extending therebetween. The cyclonic chamber is preferably parabolic in cross-section or tubular with a hemi-spherical cap. The base contains an outflow passage and a conical filter extending therefrom. An inflow passage is provided proximate the apex. The inflow and outflow passages are parallel but not aligned. The chamber interior is smooth. The smooth interior and offset relationship of the inflow and outflow passages causes air to take a cyclonic path between the inflow passage and the filter. Debris in the airstream is pushed outward—away from the filter—by centripetal force. Eddies form proximate the base. Debris escapes the airstream there, where it either remains or, depending upon the chamber's orientation relative to gravity, falls back into the airflow where it is again directed away from the filter.

Abstract: A micro-switch monitored, single-pole connector is disclosed. The micro-switch is mounted to the body of the connector. The micro-switch plunger and the end of an actuating member are enclosed in a sealed chamber, thus protecting these components from debris. The connector may be a panel-mounted model or a cable-to-cable model. A standard type connection, such as a buss bar connection, is provided at the axial end of the connector.

Abstract: A method of communicating a geographically targeted emergency alert message is disclosed. The invention employs a method of using an emergency alert message, wherein the message directs end users to take appropriate action like evacuating an identified geographic area. The invention further employs a method of using a geographic area message, the message being based on a particular geographic area within which all persons should receive the emergency alert message. An emergency alert enabled device that receives both the emergency alert message and the geographic area message is also used in the invention. The emergency alert enabled device is used to determine whether it is located within the geographic area of concern, and if so, presents the emergency alert message to the end user.

Abstract: An emergency alert system is disclosed. The invention employs an emergency alert message, which directs end users to take some particular action like evacuating an identified geographic area. The invention further employs a geographic area message, which is based on a particular geographic area within which all persons should receive the emergency alert message. The invention utilizes an emergency alert enabled device that receives both the emergency alert message and the geographic area message. The emergency alert enabled device then determines whether it is located within the geographic area of concern, and if so, presents the emergency alert message to the end user.

Abstract: A lifting body aircraft suitable for atmospheric flight and/or as a reentry vehicle. The craft has a substantially flat upper surface, a lower surface with a doubly convex first section and a flat sloping second section. Chines may be provided between the upper and lower surfaces. The doubly convex first section allows the craft to have its center of gravity forward of its longitudinal center line. The flat sloping second half of the lower surface and the substantially flat upper surface form the aft end of an airfoil. A pair of vertical stabilizers enhance stability and include rudders which, along with a pair of elevons, provide steerage. The craft may glide or it may have an engine or rockets for thrust. The result is an extremely stable lifting body design that is well suited for launch or conventional take off, insertion, orbital operations, reentry, atmospheric flight, and conventional landings.

Abstract: An automatic insulation block milling machine is disclosed. The machine combines a series of operations into a single, automatic, production-line machine. Blocks of rigid insulation material, such as cellular glass blocks, are fed into the automated machine. The blocks are first placed on an automatic programmed moving conveyor belt and are first cut on a pre-determined angle developed from the horizontal and vertical centerline of the block. This cut is made by an angled, vertical band saw mounted with its blade in the center of the moving conveyor, thus producing one angled side on each of the two cut blocks. The remaining three primary sides of the cut blocks are machined to create curved sectional blocks that are used to cover the outer surface of large bore pipe systems or other cylindrical items such as tanks.

Abstract: A cervical brace and therapy device for use to rehabilitate an injured neck of a person is described having a base support structure shaped to fit about the neck and rest on the shoulders of the person; a support ring assembly attachable to the base support structure in a horizontal position below the mandible of the person, the support ring assembly having an anterior section and a posterior section; a rotational member attached to the support ring assembly in a manner to rotate about the support ring assembly; an occipital-mandible support member shaped to accommodate the mandible and the occipital portions of the head of the person, the occipital-mandible support member being attachable to the rotational member in a manner to permit the occipital-mandible support member a predetermined range of rotation; and a cushioning assembly situated within the support ring assembly to cushion against an abrupt stop at the end of the predetermined range of motion.